NEWARK —The Seattle Seahawks arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport just before 7:30 tonight, one week ahead of Super Bowl XLVIII and several hours after their opponents landed.

The team and its coaches stepped off their chartered Delta Airlines jet and into a United Airlines hangar, where a long line of TV cameras and still photographers were waiting. As the jet taxied into the hangar, someone waived a light blue flag with the letters “12,” a reference to the team’s so-called 12th man – their boisterous fans.

In stark contrast to their rival, the Denver Broncos, most players were wearing street clothes. The Broncos arrived around 4 p.m. and stepped into the same hangar, all dressed in suits.

The few dozens fans who’d gathered to see the Broncos had all departed, just a sprinkling of Seahawk fans came to stand in their place.

Controversial star cornerback Richard Sherman stepped off the jet carrying a Seahawks duffle bag and said nothing as photographers shouted “Richard.” Sherman was fined $7,875 last week for taunting San Francisco wide receiver Michael Crabtree at the end of the NFC title game. He also drew widespread attention for his aggressive comments in a post-game interview.

The players and coaches headed down a red carpet to queued charter buses and left for their hotel in Jersey City.